Philippine E-Journals

Canavi: Navigation Aid for the Visually-Impaired using Kalman Filtering Algorithm

Chariah-Li C. Ilaga | John Renzo R. Murtz | Keannu Carlo B. Lazo | Casey Carlo M. Castro

 

Abstract:

In a world of 7.5 billion people, 285 million people worldwide are visually impaired while 39 million of them are blind according to the World Health Organization (WHO) in October 2017. The visually impaired generally use a method in which they use echolocation with their footsteps and by feeling floor surfaces with their feet to detect obstructions. However, this method is not fool-proof as noisy environments can interfere in identifying cues within the area. Consequently, mobility tools were created. The visually impaired have been using navigation aids for centuries but it was not until the 1920s when the white cane was invented. Navigation aids have been further developed to detect and inform the user of obstacles within a certain radius. To improve the existing technology that helps the visually impaired in navigation, this study aimed to develop a navigation aid for the visually impaired that accurately calculates GPS readings. The system was developed to detect obstacles and objects nearby and inform users of any obstacle coming in the way. The system properly aids the visually impaired through voice navigation and a series of vibrations. The system also successfully lessened the weight of the navigation aid compared to other existing systems.